Divorce solicitor

There are two types of divorce in Ukraine, and everything depends on which one applies to you: the timeframe, the cost, and whether you need a solicitor at all.

Through the Civil Registry Office — if there are no joint minor children and both parties agree. A one-month waiting period, a state fee of 8.50 UAH, and no court proceedings. Through the courts — if there are minor children or one of the spouses objects. This takes 2–4 months, and if the other party drags their feet, it can take up to a year.

A divorce solicitor is needed specifically in the second scenario: to ensure the case does not turn into a six-month ‘reconciliation period’, and to prevent you from losing property and time with your child alongside the divorce.

+38 095 554-54-24 — legal advice

Two ways to get a divorce

Through the Civil Registry Office — when it’s straightforward

The conditions are strict and must be met simultaneously: there are no joint children under the age of 18, and both parties must consent.

• a joint application is submitted to the Civil Registry Office;
• the marriage is dissolved one month after the date of submission (this period is given for reflection — the application can be withdrawn);
• the state fee is 8.50 UAH;
• if one of the spouses is unable to attend in person, they must submit a notarised application, and the other spouse must bring it in person.

If either party fails to appear on the appointed day, the divorce will not proceed and the matter will have to be taken to court.

Through the courts — where there are children or no mutual consent

These are two different procedures, and confusing them can prove costly:

Separate proceedings (Article 109 of the Family Code) — both parties agree, but there are minor children. A joint application is submitted together with an agreement regarding the children: who they will live with, how the other parent will be involved in their upbringing, and how child maintenance will be paid. The court checks whether the agreement is in the child’s best interests. Court fee — 665.60 UAH (0.2 times the minimum subsistence level).

Litigation proceedings (Article 110 of the Family Code) — where there is no agreement. The claim is filed at the place of residence of the defendant or the claimant (if the children live with them). The court fee is 1,331.20 UAH (0.4 times the minimum subsistence level).

The reconciliation period: the main pitfall

If the other party objects, they almost always ask the court to grant time for reconciliation. The court has the right to stay proceedings for up to six months (Article 240(7) of the Code of Civil Procedure).

In practice, this is the most common way of dragging out the case. However, the court cannot force the couple to remain married: if one spouse insists on a divorce, the marriage will be dissolved — it is merely a matter of time.

What works against delays: evidence of the de facto breakdown of the marriage (separate living arrangements, separate finances, correspondence), a consistent stance during hearings, and well-drafted applications. This is precisely why cases without a solicitor often drag on for twice as long.

When the court will not grant a divorce

One provision that almost no one is aware of until they consult a solicitor: a petition for divorce cannot be filed whilst the wife is pregnant or within one year of the child’s birth (Article 110 of the Family Code). This applies to both the husband and the wife.

There are exceptions (for example, if another person has been recognised as the child’s father or if one spouse has committed unlawful acts against the other or the child), but these are limited and require evidence.

Divorce when you are abroad or on duty

The reality in recent years is that one of the parties is often not in Ukraine.

• A solicitor handles the case without your involvement — under a legal aid agreement, with documents submitted via the ‘Electronic Court’.
• You can take part in the hearing via video conference.
• If you are abroad and the divorce is being processed through the Civil Registry Office (DRACS), the application can be certified by a notary or a consul and forwarded to your spouse.
• Military personnel: if they are serving away from their place of residence, the claim may be filed either at their place of service or at the claimant’s place of residence.

What to file alongside the divorce application, and what to file separately

A common mistake is to think, ‘Let’s get divorced first, and sort things out later.’ Sometimes this is justified, but sometimes it can be very costly.

• Maintenance can be claimed alongside the divorce or separately at any time — there is no limitation period here.
• Division of property — there is a time limit here: three years, but not from the date of the divorce, but from the day you became aware of the infringement of your rights (Article 72 of the Family Code). If there is a risk that the property will be removed, the division must be initiated immediately, with the property being seized.
• Determining the child’s place of residence and visitation arrangements — these are separate claims that are often made in the same application.

When a solicitor is not needed

There are no children, and both parties agree — go to the Civil Registry Office. It takes a month and costs 8.50 UAH. You do not need a solicitor, and we will say so straight away.

You need a solicitor when:

• the other party objects or consistently fails to appear;
• there are minor children — and you need to draw up an agreement that the court will approve rather than reject;
• you have already been granted a period for reconciliation, and the case is at a standstill;
• you are abroad and cannot attend court hearings;
• along with the divorce, you need to divide property or claim maintenance;
• the other party is concealing income or transferring assets.

How we work

1. We determine the procedure — the Civil Registry Office, separate proceedings or a claim. A mistake here can cost months.
2. We prepare the documents — a claim or joint application, a child custody agreement, evidence.
3. We submit them via the ‘Electronic Court’ — without you needing to be present.
4. We represent you at hearings, including via video conference.
5. We counter delays — we explain why a conciliation period is inappropriate.
6. We handle related claims — maintenance, division of property, the child’s place of residence.

Cost of services

The following are charged separately: court fee — 665.60 UAH (separate proceedings) or 1,331.20 UAH (action); state duty of 8.50 UAH for divorce through the Civil Registry Office.

Full price list

Questions and answers

How much will a divorce cost in 2026?

Through the Civil Registry Office — state duty of 8.50 UAH. Through the courts — court fees of 665.60 UAH (joint application with a child arrangement agreement) or 1,331.20 UAH (lawsuit). Plus a solicitor’s fee, if required.

How long does a divorce take?

Civil Registry Office — exactly one month. Court — 2–4 months under normal circumstances; if the other party requests a period for reconciliation, this can be extended to up to six months.

Can I get a divorce without my husband’s or wife’s consent?

Yes. The other party’s consent is not required. They can only delay the process, but not stop it.

Do I need to appear in court in person?

No. A solicitor represents you under a legal aid agreement. Personal attendance is only required in exceptional cases.

Can I get a divorce if my wife is pregnant?

No. A petition for divorce cannot be filed whilst the wife is pregnant or within one year of the child’s birth (Article 110 of the Family Code). Exceptions are limited and require evidence.

Can you get a divorce whilst abroad?

Yes. Documents are submitted via the ‘Electronic Court’ system, and you can participate in the hearing via video conference. For a divorce processed through the Civil Registry Office, the application can be certified by a consul.

Do you need to obtain a divorce certificate after the court proceedings?

No. A court decision that has become final in itself confirms the dissolution of the marriage — there is no need to apply to the Civil Registry Office separately.

Is it possible to divide property and claim maintenance straight away?

Yes, these claims are filed alongside the divorce proceedings. However, court fees are calculated separately for each claim, and it is sometimes more cost-effective to split the proceedings — we can work this out during a consultation.

Consulting a divorce solicitor at Svarog

Describe your situation — we’ll tell you which procedure applies to you (the Civil Registry Office, separate proceedings or court proceedings), how long it will take and what to do if the other party objects. If your case can be settled at the Civil Registry Office in a month for 8.50 UAH, we’ll tell you exactly that.

+38 095 554-54-24 · Kyiv, 7 Khoriva Street, Office 2 (Podil) · Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00